Shopsmith Air Compressors Information, Review and History

There have been two Shopsmith Air Compressors. The first one was sold in the 1950's (and perhaps the 1960's) and was a simple diaphragm compressor and is shown at right, called the DM-8 Magna Sprayer. This tool pre-dated the standardization of tubing and fittings as we know today, and Harbor Freight wasn't yet a gleam in a Chinaman's eye, so this tool simply used a garden hose! And why not? Be aware that the diaphragm may be dry rotted on these units, but I understand that this isn't a tough repair.

(Click on article at right to Biggie-Size it)

In the 1990's Shopsmith Inc. had a neat little compressor made for them by Campbell Hausfeld called the Shopsmith Air System. (Bottom photo) This tool utilized a piston and could move much more air than the original compressor. The down side was that this compressor couldn't keep up with the demands of a sander or sprayer, and because it didn't have a cut-off switch it just ran and ran and ran. It was also loud. Still, I regret selling mine a few years ago and I'm looking for one myself now that SS has retired it.


Click for Shopsmith Air Compressor for Sale Both Magna and Shopsmith Inc versions (Very light activity on both the old Magna and newer Shopsmith Inc. compressors)

You Aint Seen Nothin' Yet!

If you happened to land on this page via a Google search, you aint seen nothin' yet! Click the title at the top of this page to see this blog in it's entirety.